The Cleveland Guardians locked up a top-two seed in the American League with Tuesday’s win.
That means they will rest through the Division Series while other squads, including their foe in that instance, play in the Wild Card round.
To keep everybody fresh and focused on the postseason, the organization announced a series of changes in their pitching staff, days, and workloads.
“With a first-round bye in hand, the Guardians are changing their pitching plans… Tonight: Andrew Walters will start a bullpen game. Friday: Joey Cantillo (possibly an opener first). Saturday: Ben Lively. Sunday: an opener/Gavin Williams,” Zack Meisel, who covers the team for The Athletic, posted on X.
This plan will likely require a lot of innings from relievers, but the team will probably spread the work to keep everybody in shape.
There appears to be some concern regarding the rest of the rotation and the considerable time without pitching, though.
The organization has a plan for that, too.
“Tanner Bibee and Matthew Boyd will throw simulated games until the ALDS. Alex Cobb should soon be ready to throw a sim game as well. There’s an opener ahead of Gavin Williams on Sunday so Williams can try out pitching in relief, in case that’s his role in October,” Meisel wrote.
Tanner Bibee and Matthew Boyd will throw simulated games until the ALDS.
Alex Cobb should soon be ready to throw a sim game as well.
There’s an opener ahead of Gavin Williams on Sunday so Williams can try out pitching in relief, in case that’s his role in October. https://t.co/6Lmc7mk3s0
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) September 25, 2024
Basically, the Guardians are making their relievers stay sharp in game action through the week, while most starters will throw simulated games whenever it’s their turn to pitch.
Over the last few seasons, there have been growing concern about the competitive advantage that teams making it directly to the Division Series give away by not playing games for nearly a week.
Cleveland is doing its best to offset some of those concerns.
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